Illinois Products Expo To Celebrate 20 Delicious Years
Annual ‘Taste of Illinois Agriculture’ to take place March 3-4

[March 02, 2018] 

SPRINGFIELD

This year, the annual Illinois Products Expo celebrates 20 delicious years of introducing Illinois products to the public. Dozens of Illinois food companies, wineries and agricultural associations will take part in this agricultural showcase on the Illinois State Fairgrounds, March 3-4, 2018.

This ‘Taste of Illinois Agriculture’ will allow visitors to sample and purchase all of what Illinois has to offer. Food offerings include fresh meat products, pizza, sauces, homemade jellies and jams, ice cream, and gourmet seasonings all produced, packaged or processed in Illinois. There will also be non-food items, such as soy candles and agricultural-based soaps and lotions on display and available for purchase. A complete list of participating vendors can be found on the Expo website, https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/ Assistance/TradeShows/IllinoisProducts Expo/Pages/default.aspx.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of Marketing, Promotion and Grants aims to assist small to medium size Illinois agri-businesses enter the marketplace through export assistance, branding/marketing campaigns and buyer introductions. This year, more than 20 buyers from grocery and specialty stores will be visiting with Expo vendors as they search for new products to line their store shelves.

Illinois agriculture extends well beyond the crops you see in the fields. Illinois ranks first in the nation for food processing sales ($186 billion), and it is one of our state’s top manufacturing activities. The 2,372 food processing companies in Illinois support more than 71,000 jobs.

“Illinois is home to a host of transportation options, which allows businesses to efficiently and effectively move products locally and beyond,” said Ag Director Raymond Poe. “Never before has it been easier for people to purchase products that have been produced, processed, packaged or manufactured in Illinois. The Products Expo is an excellent way for you to learn more about and support small agribusinesses in our state.”

Another way you can support agribusinesses in our state is by taking the Buy Illinois Challenge. It’s a simple pledge for the 4.7 million households in our state. If each Illinois household dedicates $10 of their existing weekly budget to the purchase of Illinois products, we would generate an additional $47 million each week for the Illinois economy. To find an agribusiness or Illinois product near you, visit our website at https://www2.illinois.gov/sites /agr/ Consumers/BuyIllinoisChallenge/ Pages/default.aspx.

The Illinois Products Expo will be open on Saturday, March 3rd from 10:00am-5:00pm and Sunday, March 4th from 10:00am-3:00pm in the Orr Building at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Admission is $5 per person. Children 10 and younger will be admitted free of charge. While food sampling will be free, the beverage tastings are offered at a small cost. Five dollars will get you five tastings and your own wine glass to take home.

New this year, as a way to celebrate the Expo’s 20th anniversary and Illinois’ Bicentennial, we will hold FREE hourly drawings for a chance for attendees to win $20 or $200 in Expo Cash. This money can only be spent on Illinois products at the Expo the day of the drawing.

Here are a few of the participating vendors scheduled to attend the 2018 Illinois Products Expo:

August Hill Winery
Berryville Vineyards
Butch’s Pizza
Cahokia Rice (new)
Country Lights Soy Candles
Cousins Dog Biscuit Company
Creekside Vineyards
Creekstone Kettle Works
Engrained Brewing Company
Family Kettle Corn
Flat Branch Soap
Four Score and Seven Ribs Ago BBQ

Fox Creek Vineyards
Golden Prairie Popcorn
Gordon Heat (new)
Hapburgers Signature Seasonings
Hill Prairie Winery
Hilltop Bee Emporium
Homestead Bakery
Homestead Bakery
Hopewell Winery
Hot Sauce by Goss
IL Pork Producers Assoc.
Jimmy Sticks (new)
Jones Boys Market
Kelley’s Gourmet
Kite Hill Vineyard
Lasata Wines
Ludwig Farmstead Creamery (new)
Meatsmack
Nuthatch Hill BBQ
Oakland Noodle Company
Pasta Alley
Reinneck Ranch
ReMARKable Caramels
Riegler Quality Beef
Ropp Cheese
Safeco Donuts & Bakery (new)
Sasse’s Apiary
Serious Lip Balm
Shelley’s Salsa
Spirit Knob Winery
SS Backwards Longhorn
Toohill Seed & Beef Services
Turasky Meats
Two Fat Guys Gourmet Sauces
Umland Natural Foods (new)
Uncle Joe’s Sauces
Vahling Vineyards
West of Wise
Willow City Farm (new)
Willow Ridge Winery
Zillion’s Chili

If an Illinois food company would like to learn more about participating in the Illinois Products Expo or any of the other programs offered by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, they can contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture Bureau of Marketing, Promotion and Grants at [phone].

[Illinois Department of Agriculture]